ORKNEY is hosting a conference that will help promote a new system to assess possible climate change damage to world heritage sites.
The workshop in Stromness will pilot new methodology which assesses the risks to all types of heritage sites impacted by climate change, known as the Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CVI).
It is being attended by leading climate scientists and heritage professionals from across the world.
The event is supported by Historic Environment Scotland (HES), in partnership with University of the Highlands and Islands, James Cook University of Australia, Orkney Islands Council and the Union of Concerned Scientists.
The Heart of Neolithic Orkney will be the first cultural world heritage site to undergo CVI assessment, following an initial trial of the tool some 8000 miles away at Shark Bay in Western Australia – a natural site which encompasses 2.2 million hectares of diverse landscapes, animals and plant life.
Delegates will visit the historic sites that comprise the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage site, including Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar.
Some delegates will also speak at an event in Kirkwall this evening. It will give the community a chance to learn more about the project and the challenges of managing the site in a changing climate.
Ewan Hyslop, head of technical research and science at HES, said: “Climate change poses a number of very real threats to heritage sites, not only here in Scotland but throughout the world.”
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